For an entire week, Song Guanchao has been dining with the executives of these real estate companies.

The demands he proposed went unanswered.

The executives would rather receive less return on their security deposits than purchase those two plots of land.

On Friday, just as work was about to end, Song Guanchao went to see Wu Qiangwei.

"Secretary, if you have time tonight, please invite Secretary Qu for dinner. I can update both of you on this week's work."

Then he added, "It's best to go to the Secretary's house, it's safer that way."

Wu Qiangwei furrowed her brows; she wasn't too keen on hosting at her home.

Ever since Qu Xiangru showed an interest in Song Guanchao, she hesitated to give them any chance to be alone together.

But seeing the seriousness in Song Guanchao's expression, and considering the importance of the matter at hand, she had no choice but to nod.

After work.

Song Guanchao waited in the parking lot ahead of time.

Wu Qiangwei and Qu Xiangru came down together, engaging in lively conversation.

Song Guanchao opened the car door and said, "Please get in, Secretaries."

Upon arriving at Wu Qiangwei's home, the takeout Song Guanchao ordered had already arrived.

As the trio sat around the table, just as Song Guanchao was about to report his work, Wu Qiangwei suddenly asked, "Secretary Qu, care for some wine?"

Qu Xiangru glanced at Song Guanchao and said, "Just a little, but not too much. I worry that Secretary Song might lose his senses after a drink."

"..." Wu Qiangwei's face turned a bit sour.

In the past, she wouldn't take such remarks seriously from Qu Xiangru.

But now, she felt compelled to take them seriously.

Her initial suggestion to drink was intended as a small reward for Song Guanchao that evening.

Yet now, she suddenly regretted the decision.

However, since the words were already spoken, there was no use regretting.

Just as she retrieved the red wine, Qu Xiangru snatched it, uncorked it, and poured full glasses for all three of them.

Song Guanchao was a bit taken aback, wondering what this woman was up to.

Suddenly, he recalled Qu Xiangru promising over the phone that upon his return, she would agree to whatever he wanted to do.

Was she planning to drink enough to make things easier later?

Thinking of this, Song Guanchao couldn't help but feel a bit expectant.

"Secretary Song, please go ahead." Qu Xiangru took a sip of her wine.

Song Guanchao said, "This week, I've had one-on-one talks with the developers."

"I advised them to buy those two plots, but they're unwilling to take them on."

"In that case, we'll have to deduct some money from them."

Song Guanchao explained his work for the week and laid out his solutions concerning the fraud case.

After all, he's merely a small secretary; whether his ideas could be implemented would depend on the support from Qu Xiangru and Wu Qiangwei.

Qu Xiangru held her wine glass, looking at him with a smile and an appreciative gaze, filled with a hint of something more.

Wu Qiangwei, who had been observing her, felt inexplicably uncomfortable upon noticing her expression.

"Secretary Song is really impressive, coming up with two solutions in such a short time."

Qu Xiangru raised her glass. "To you, Secretary Song."

"..." Song Guanchao's face froze slightly. Why was she putting on such an act?

He raised his glass and clinked it with hers; after taking a sip, he asked, "These are just my ideas. What do you think, Secretaries?"

Wu Qiangwei regained her composure and said, "The ideas are sound. Since they're unwilling to buy the land, let's use part of their deposit for reconstruction."

Qu Xiangru nodded in agreement, smiling.

To Wu Qiangwei, it seemed as though, no matter what proposal Song Guanchao put forward, Qu Xiangru would agree.

Song Guanchao said, "Then I'll contact the district government on Monday to invite public tenders."

He had already thought it through: keep the benefits within the family.

This project would be assigned to Liu Lanzi.

Have Liu Lanzi prepare a cost sheet for the reconstruction of the two buildings, then make deductions from there.

By his estimation, it shouldn't cost too much.

Besides, the deposit from Golden Heaven and Earth and Da Yuan Real Estate alone amounted to 350 million.

Spreading the cost over other companies would probably amount to just tens of millions.

For now, Song Guanchao had no plans to touch that money directly.

That would be too blatant.

He had already spoken with President Lu; Lingjiang Bank would provide an interest-free loan.

Once the situation had calmed, he'd use the money to repay the loan.

A bottle of red wine was quickly finished, followed by another being opened.

Qu Xiangru said, "Secretary Song's contribution is significant this time. How does Secretary Wu plan to reward him?"

Wu Qiangwei had already considered this matter; there were many suitable positions for Song Guanchao.

She took a sip of wine and said, "The positions for District Chief in Tongchi and Zhujiang Districts are open, which one are you interested in?"

Song Guanchao paused for two seconds: "The position for Zhujiang District Chief is open?"

He only knew that Tongchi District's District Chief Li was dismissed and investigated by the Disciplinary Committee because of this case.

But what happened with Zhujiang District?

In the one week he was away from Lingjiang, did something happen again?

Wu Qiangwei said, "The last time we received a report, the person reported again later."

Song Guanchao suddenly realized; he had almost forgotten about that.

Mainly, the matter had little to do with him, so he hadn't been keeping tabs on it.

"I suggest Secretary Song choose Tongchi District," Qu Xiangru said, resting her chin on one hand.

Song Guanchao asked, "Why?"

Qu Xiangru suddenly rolled her eyes in a way that was enchanting, captivating Song Guanchao.

It wasn't until he felt Wu Qiangwei's intense gaze that he quickly looked away.

Wu Qiangwei said coldly, "Why else? The person reported is District Chief Li, and he just fell from grace. Whoever takes the Zhujiang District Chief position now will be labeled as the informant."

Song Guanchao cursed himself internally, realizing he was indeed a bit slow.

Such an obvious point had eluded him.

Yes, the Zhujiang District Chief position is now a hot potato.

After all, the informant's identity had not yet been uncovered.

Normally, whoever benefits the most from a situation is often viewed as the prime suspect.

But just to avoid suspicion, giving up on Zhujiang District seemed a bit unworthy to Song Guanchao.

After all, economically, Zhujiang District is much better off than Tongchi District.

If he became District Chief of Tongchi and couldn't boost the economy, his future promotions might be challenging.

"I'll think about it."

Song Guanchao never imagined that he would take on an actual leadership role so quickly, and he wasn't mentally prepared.

He hadn't even considered plans for being a District Chief.

Looks like he needed to have an in-depth discussion with Zeng Li.

That girl is clever and always provides objective and superior assessments from an outsider's perspective on matters with a comprehensive view.

After eating and drinking, it was already half-past eight in the evening.

As before, the three had consumed two bottles of red wine, leaving them slightly flushed, with their eyes filled with a hazy, flowing autumn light.

Qu Xiangru, resembling a ripe peach, leaned back in her chair with one leg over the other, her open collar hinting at alluring sights. Her slightly red cheeks and somewhat disheveled hair exuded an enchanting allure, much like a resplendent flower of luxury.

In contrast, Wu Qiangwei appeared more youthful, yet the impressive peaks beneath her attire seemed ready to burst forth.

Her cherry-like lips parted alluringly, releasing a fragrance that could stir one's blood.

Occasionally meeting Song Guanchao's gaze, they held a sense of playful resistance.

Whether it was merely his illusion, Song Guanchao felt he glimpsed a flicker of fiery passion within.

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